“Everybody says this is a sleeping giant,” said Bozeman, 42. “This is a tremendous opportunity.”

A Prince George’s County resident, Bozeman cited George Mason’s run to this year’s Final Four as an example of a smaller school being able to accomplish bigger goals. “That lets you know it’s possible,” he said.

Bozeman said he is relatively familiar with the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference from going to games, serving as a media analyst and his contact with coaches such as Fang Mitchell of Coppin State and Dwight Freeman of Norfolk State. But he said he will not model the program after any of his coaching adversaries.

“We want to be able to go as high as we can,” he said. “We want to build a house with brick and cement, not straw that the wind will blow away. But coaches don’t win, administrations do. We want to attract players with the courage Dr. Richardson has.”

As to his checkered past — which included becoming the youngest coach (29) ever in the NCAA Sweet 16 and Elite Eight in addition to the NCAA sanction — Bozeman attributed it to youth.

“It was tough because I felt like I let a lot of people down. As a youth, you don’t really understand that,” he said.

Morgan has truly gotten a GEM by hiring Bozeman. What a great find. I saw Bozeman coach at Cal during the Jason Kidd, Lamont Murray stint with the Golden Bears and he was not only a great coach, but a good disciplinary. His Cal team beated a UCLA team who were top ranked when the O’Bannon brothers were with the Bruins. He outcoached Harrick at every phase of the game. He will put Morgan on the map and bring in some great players there. Look for a turnaround with him at the helm in 3 to 4 years.